Somaliland Police Commissioner pledges sweeping reforms

The commissioner of Somalilands’ Police, Major-General Mohamed Saqadhi Dabagale, vowed to overhaul the police force during his tenure and to introduce major reforms.

In a rousing speech in Erigavo, the police commissioner said ensuring fair work conditions were the cornerstone of his reform agenda. He urged the police officers to exhibit ambition and strive for excellence to advance under his meritocracy leadership.

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I don’t know how long I will stay here. My first goal is to achieve justice to the best of my ability.  My first plan is to do justice to you to the best of my ability. I want to give you something to aspire to achieve for which you can compete. 

Police Commissioner

Major-General Dabagaleannounced a strategic five-year plan for the reforming of the police force to better serve the public. The plan includes building a police academy that graduates thirty officers a year. He said on top of his priorities to produce the next generation of leaders.

Another initiative mentioned by the commissioner was training police officers on human rights protections. In this scheme, each officer, he said, no matter what region will get twenty days training on the principle of human rights. Commissioner Dabogale said the objective was to realize the mojo of Somaliland’s police force which is “ The Police is the Friend of the Public”.

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There are things in the strategic plan of the police now. One of them is giving all police officers in their respective regions a training on human rights. It will teach how police should treat people. The police are the friend of the public. Isn’t that right? Isn’t the police the servant of the public? We want you to understand that. 

Police Commissioner

Major-General Dabogale stated that president Muse Bihi Abdi was on board with his reforms. However, as Somaliland saw the largest number of government critics detained last year, it is not clear how the freedom of expression fits into the reform agenda of the police commissioner.